Marco Melandri insists he will not change his approach ahead of the penultimate round of the 2012 World Superbike Championship at Portimao, despite his diastrous weekend at the Nurburgring.

The Italian carried an 18.5 point lead into the German event, only to crash out of good positions in both races to hand his recently acquired championship lead back to arch-rival Max Biaggi.

Despite this, BMW rider Melandri is refusing to dwell on the event, insisting he will approach the final two rounds at Portimao and Magny-Cours with a view to being consistent and fast in each race.

“It looks like we are going to have good weather at Portugal, which I am very happy about," said Melandri, who is 9.5 points behind Biaggi. "I certainly expect tough races. There are just two rounds to go and the championship is still very open for quite a few riders, so it will be not easy but very interesting.

"I will approach the weekend as I always do. In preparation I trained a lot back home and in Portimão I will try to enjoy the ride. The whole team and I will do our best and just try to be consistent and fast in both races."

A winner on his first race outing at Portimao last year aboard a Yamaha, Melandri is looking forward to returning to one of his favourite circuits.

"Portimão is one of the most beautiful race tracks in the world. The layout is unbelievable. There are up and down sections like you find on no other race track and the corners are pretty fast. Last year I was racing there for the first time and I had a good result.

"The races are not going to be easy because it will definitely be close between many riders.”

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Marco has to continue the good work he has done during the year and forget 'Ring as soon as possible...He is a fantastic rider and he likes what he does...He lives for racing...He has fun...That is very important and gives him a major motivation to be first...He wants to be in a team that believes in him and offers him the best of their potential...And he 's got that this year...So it's up to him and luck of course...